Chapter 24: Looking for Trouble!

Tang Xiaorou's face was filled with excitement. She finally had the opportunity to teach Fang Yu a lesson."In previous mock exams, what was your highest score?" Fang Yu asked.Tang Xiaorou's face showed a proud expression as she said, "My highest score was 709, ranking first in the advanced class!""Oh," Fang Yu responded. "So, if I score above 710, I win. To be safe, let's say 715.""Hmph! Do you really think getting over 700 points is that easy? If you can really score that high, I'll let you do whatever you want!" Tang Xiaorou replied defiantly, puffing out her chest.Fang Yu glanced at Tang Xiaorou but didn't say anything.Tang Xiaorou felt that her previous statement had some ambiguity, and her face turned red. Embarrassed, she turned her head and continued studying.She was determined to win this bet and show Fang Yu who was the better student. She couldn't stand his arrogant attitude, always acting like he was so amazing.After morning self-study, the students moved their desks apart to prepare for the mock exam.During this time, Tang Xiaorou approached Liu Pangzi and asked, "Liu Dong, how does Fang Yu usually perform in exams?"Seeing Tang Xiaorou's face up close, Liu Pangzi felt a bit nervous and said, "He usually ranks around 30th in the class.""30th?" There were 60 students in the class, so Fang Yu's performance in the second class was just average.In an ordinary class like theirs, the best student wouldn't score more than 650 points.For Fang Yu to only rank around 30th in this class meant that he had little chance of scoring over 715 points. It was impossible.Upon realizing this, Tang Xiaorou felt relieved.The exam began quickly, starting with the Chinese subject.Tang Xiaorou was more careful and focused than ever while doing the exam. She had to score high and show off her score to Fang Yu.Before starting the essay, Tang Xiaorou secretly glanced at Fang Yu, who was already sleeping on his desk.Hmph! He thinks he can win like this? Dream on!Tang Xiaorou ignored Fang Yu and concentrated on writing her essay.After the Chinese exam, they moved on to math.Math was Tang Xiaorou's strong suit, and she consistently scored over 140 on her exams.While doing the math paper, Tang Xiaorou once again observed Fang Yu and noticed that he only worked for about half an hour before falling asleep on his desk.Half an hour was barely enough time to complete the multiple-choice questions from the previous night.It seemed that Fang Yu had given up on the calculation and application questions, making him a true slacker!The afternoon consisted of the comprehensive and English exams, and Fang Yu slept throughout both, just as he did for the previous two subjects.After the exams, when it was time to leave school, Tang Xiaorou moved her seat back to its original position."Fang Yu, with your lazy attitude, how could you possibly get good grades?" Tang Xiaorou looked at the groggy Fang Yu and said with a hint of disappointment.She thought Fang Yu would at least take the bet seriously, but he had been sleeping the whole time.This disappointed her, and even if she won, there was nothing to be happy about.Fang Yu didn't pay attention to Tang Xiaorou's mood. He stood up to go home when his phone vibrated in his pocket.Taking out his phone, he saw that it was a call from Tang Mingde."Fang Shenyi, Tang Si has gathered some information about monster beast inner cores," Tang Mingde said."Where?" Fang Yu asked."There is an underground auction house for warriors. It is rumored that they will be auctioning a monster beast inner core today. If you're interested, Tang Si can take you there. He's already waiting for Xiaorou at the school gate," Tang Mingde said."Good," Fang Yu agreed....Fang Yu and Tang Xiaorou got into Tang Si's car together."Mr. Fang, I will drop Miss Xiaorou off at home first and then take you to the auction house. Is that alright?" Tang Si respectfully asked.Since witnessing Fang Yu's formidable skills at Chengzhong Village, Tang Si's attitude towards him had changed."That's fine, and there's no need for her to come along," Fang Yu said."Why are you going? Why can't I?" Tang Xiaorou realized what was happening and asked anxiously."Miss, I'm taking Mr. Fang to an underground auction house for warriors. It's a dangerous place, and you, being a girl, better not go," Tang Si said.Tang Xiaorou clenched her lips, feeling a bit unwilling.But she also knew that Tang Si wouldn't lie to her, so she didn't insist.After dropping Tang Xiaorou off at home, Tang Si and Fang Yu headed to the underground auction house.The auction house was specifically for warriors and held at least two auctions every month.It was located in a remote area on the outskirts of Jianghai City, in a desolate piece of land.There was a slightly run-down building on the empty space in front of the auction house, which was where the auction would take place.There were many cars parked in the open space, including luxury cars worth several million yuan."What currency is used for these auctions?" Fang Yu asked."It's the same currency we use in our daily lives, no special currency," Tang Si replied.Fang Yu recalled that during the auctions 4,000 years ago, they used spiritual stones for transactions.Entering the auction house, Fang Yu saw nearly a hundred cultivators. They were all in the Qi Refinement Stage, with the highest being in the tenth stage and the lowest in the third stage."This auction usually includes items like spiritual pills, rare medicinal herbs, and weapons," Tang Si explained.Speaking softly, Tang Si led Fang Yu to their seats in the back row and said, "There aren't many rules for this auction. Just find a seat when you arrive, and when the auction starts, if you see something you're interested in, bid for it. The highest bidder gets the item, and the transaction is completed on the spot. You can leave whenever you want.""Sounds good," Fang Yu nodded. However, he suddenly realized that he didn't bring any money with him."Tang Mingde has instructed me that no matter the price, if a monster beast inner core appears, I should help you win it," Tang Si seemed to know what Fang Yu was about to say and said in advance."That's good. Please thank Tang Mingde for me," Fang Yu said.The auction began quickly."The first item up for auction today is the Sun Dragon Pill, refined by Master Wu, a renowned pharmacist from Huai Bei. It is used for..." the auctioneer explained enthusiastically.Fang Yu only understood towards the end that this so-called Sun Dragon Pill was actually an aphrodisiac.Yet, this aphrodisiac reached a high price of 300,000 yuan, acquired by an elderly man with white hair, who looked like he didn't have much time left.Fang Yu couldn't help but feel speechless. It seemed that this auction house truly catered to all kinds of people.The following dozen or so items were all spiritual pills and weapons, all of which Fang Yu considered to be junk."The next item up for auction is a monster beast inner core brought back by a master who went through various dangers!" the auctioneer announced loudly.Then, the monster beast inner core was presented on the stage.A fist-sized, dark red monster beast inner core.A fifth-tier monster beast inner core!Feeling the aura emanating from the inner core, Fang Yu became immediately excited.It had been many years since he had seen such a high-tier monster beast inner core!If he swallowed this inner core, Fang Yu might be able to break through two to three more layers!He had to win it!"One million!" Without waiting for the auctioneer to finish, Fang Yu immediately shouted.The surrounding crowd exclaimed in surprise.This monster beast inner core's practical value was not clear, yet someone had already bid 1 million yuan for it."One million and fifty thousand," a deep voice spoke up.People followed the sound and saw a rugged-looking middle-aged man."The bidder is actually Wu Xiong!""Oh no, he's just bidding for the sake of bidding. Just let him have it.""That kid won't dare to bid any higher, otherwise, he will have trouble with Wu Laohu."Whispers filled the surroundings, and many people looked at Fang Yu with a mocking expression.Wu Xiong's bid of only an extra fifty thousand was actually a warning, telling Fang Yu not to raise the price anymore.If Fang Yu dared to continue bidding, he would likely face retaliation from Wu Xiong."Fang Yu, you should have brought 2 million, right?" Tang Si's face turned pale and said, "This person is called Wu Xiong, a martial artist in the Innate Tenth Stage. He is extremely powerful and notorious in the martial world of Jianghai City!""Fang Yu, even though you have extraordinary talent, you are still too impulsive," Tang Si sighed.He knew that Fang Yu had exceptional skills, but he was no match for Wu Xiong.The reason why Wu Xiong could be so arrogant was that his strength far surpassed that of ordinary martial artists.Even among those in the Innate Tenth Stage, there were few who could match him.